Where in Ahn’Qiraj is Prospector Brann Bronzebeard

C’Thun has been killed over 50 times since the last patch update, and few guilds have achieved a defeat of Ouro. However, no one has ever mentioned in the Official Forums to have found Prospector Brann Bronzebeard. This rises a few questions. Is this another broken series that will be updated later? Or do players need to explore the depths of Ahn’Qiraj more throughfully?

Such is the importance in the Warcraft Lore of this pivotal character that has gone once more missing. Many fans that joined World of Warcraft after retail, but didn’t follow up through pre-closed beta or closed beta may have missed the early entries of the World of Warcraft website. Brann has been missing three times now. As he delves deeper into his exploration duties, sometimes he gets in trouble and is assumed missing, only to show up later on.

Noted Dwarven historian and veteran of the Second War Brann Bronzebeard has gone missing!

Having undertaken the noble charge of his Explorers Guild to survey the uncharted lands of Azeroth, the celebrated adventurer made his way through the regions of Elwynn Forest and Westfall before filing his last report from the misty jungles of Stranglethorn Vale. According to his most recent correspondence, Brann had just uncovered the ruins of an ancient city hidden deep within Stranglethorn when he was beset upon by a band of savage Jungle Troll headhunters. Presumably, Brann evaded capture, but the only real clue pertaining to his whereabouts comes in the form of a vague final sentence: “I resolved to head east?”

Brann mentioned he would return to Ironforge sometime after visiting the Greymane Wall, when unsuccessfully tried to explore Gilneas to see if he could explore it on a Gnomish Flying Machine. It is unknown if he ever got the chance to visit Gilneas.

However, later on, Brann Bronzebeard was missing once more after his expedition toward Northrend. He wanted to explore the continent and wished to find out more about the death of his brother Muradin Bronzebeard. In Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Prince Arthas had taken Frostmourne sword from its pedestal even after Muradin warned him about the curse inscribed on a plate. Muradin died that day. His death pained King Magni to his core, and Brann resolved to dig into the whereabouts of his death. Although, Brann was thought missing in Northrend by King Magni—Brann had once more overcome his perilous exploration.

Prospector Brann Bronzebeard explored Northrend in very extensive detail in World of Warcraft RPG: Lands of Mystery (Table of Content)—released on April 3, 2006. Make sure to take a look at the Northrend Map and all its regions and a spoiler summary of what you should expect in this White Wolf Publishing licensed book.

The RPG book reveals a detail that gives fans an idea of when Brann was in Northrend. Brann talked with Baelgun—one of the surviving dwarves of Prince Arthas who knew he killed Muradin. Baelgun tells Brann this some time after the events of Warcraft III: Frozen Throne. Baelgun is not dead. Brann talked to Baelgun after King Arthas and Anub’arak made their way through the caverns of Azjol-Nerub to reach the Icecrown.

Brann: “Two years ago, Arthas and the mighty Anub?arak traveled through this area on their way to the Frozen Throne.”—World of Warcraft RPG: Lands of Mystery; Northrend Continent section, page 91.

Brann Bronzebeard has explored the South Seas islands: Isle of Kezan(Undermine), Plunder Isle, the Broken Isles, Zandalar Isle and even used a magic helmet to dive into the Eye of the Maelstrom to explore Nazjatar.

Brann explored all of Kalimdor (in Lands of Mystery book) and is now missing in Ahn’Qiraj Temple.

“The famous explorer Brann Bronzebeard has led a dwarven expedition all the way to the southernmost part of Silithus. The dwarves have established a base camp near the Scarab Wall in order to study the relics that can be found all over Silithus and to unlock the secrets of the past which still lie buried underneath the hot desert sands.

Adventurers seeking to aid the dwarves in their undertaking just need to follow the road south from Cenarion Hold. The dwarves will surely appreciate any help they can get.”

While killing Silithid in the western hives of Silithus, near Cenarion Hold, a mysterious note is looted:

To Whom It May Concern:

If you’re reading this, I’m either dead or soon to be dead. It’s hard to say. Most of the crew is dead anyhow.

Found information about a Titan. Great battle between him and an Old God. Yes, a bona fide Old God. Found ancient tunnel leading to Ahn’Qiraj. Taking it.

Take this letter to my old camp. Make sure my monkey is getting adequate food, water, and hugs.

-Brann Bronzebeard, Explorer Extreme

P.S. Watch out for crazy Old God worshipping night elf.

When turning in this quest, Rutgar Glyphshaper says:

“Well this explains a lot. If you ever find a way into Ahn’Qiraj, keep an eye out for ol’Brann. I’m afraid that he’ll be powerless without his monkey.”

This letter by Brann reveals that he is taken a tunnel straight into the Ahn’Qiraj Temple instance. So … where in the instance is he? No one has shown proof of his discovery: dead or alive, or further notes or clues to find him. I suggest people start exploring more thoroughfully. As a last resort, Priests could spend some 10 minutes using Mind Vision in hopes of traveling most of the instance in search of him. Hunters could enable human tracking in hopes of finding the illustrous NPC. Hopefully, Blizzard may offer details whether he is in-game or not. In the meantime, explore, explore and fetch him!